Serial radiograph table

ABSTRACT

A table having a patient-receiving movable top affixed thereto with a plurality of film-receiving trays movably mounted in tracks positioned in vertical spaced apart relationship generally beneath the movable top. The tracks extend so that the trays move between a position below the top and a second position spaced horizontally therefrom. The trays are biased towards the first position and normally held in the second position until the sequential release thereof by electronic timing apparatus.

United States atent [72] Inventor Weldon D. Amdt 1201 83rd Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, Minn. 55430 [21] AppLNo. 861,116 [22] Filed Sept. 25, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 30, 1971 [54] SERIAL RADlOGRAPH TABLE 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 250/66, 250/54 [51] lnt.Cl ..G0ln2l/00 [50] Field of Search 250/66 R, 65 R, 54, 56, 58

[ 56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,617,944 1 1/1952 Sanchez-Perez 250/66 2,652,948 9/1953 SnoOk et a1. 250/66 3,015,028 12/1961 Clark 250/66 3,243,591 3/1966 Lesnick et a1. 250/66 3,381,128 4/1968 Jimenez 250/66 Primary Examiner-James W. Lawrence Assistant Examiner-D. C. Nelms Attorney-Merchant & Gould ABSTRACT: A table having a patient-receiving movable top affixed thereto with a plurality of film-receiving trays movably mounted in tracks positioned in vertical spaced apart relation ship generally beneath the movable top. The tracks extend so that the trays move between a position below the top and a second position spaced horizontally therefrom. The trays are biased towards the first position and normally held in the second position until the sequential release thereof by electronic timing apparatus.

PATENTEU W30 I97 3,624 398 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR. Wuno/u fi. Ann/0T BY A rroa n/m's SERIAL RADIOGRAPH TABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention In the field of radiography it is often necessary to take series or sequences of radiographs of a patient to trace the flow of reflective material through the body or portions thereof. Some examination or studies which require series or sequences of radiographs are, for example, angiography, lymphangiography, arteriography, abdominal aortography, etc. In all of these various studies it is essential that the flow of material through the various parts of the body being studied is accurately radiographed. To perfonn this task, the series of radiographs must be timed accurately to provide the desired information.

Description of the Prior Art In the prior art many seriographs are provided wherein cassette-type film can be automatically moved to provide series of radiographs. In general, these prior art devices are not adequate because the apparatus for moving the cassettes to provide a series of radiographs cannot be accurately timed or will not provide a sufficient period of time between radiographs. Further, substantially all prior art devices are limited in their usefulness to a specific portion of the body so that a number of different prior art devices are required for a completely equipped hospital or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to programmed film-changing apparatus wherein a relatively large planar surface is movably mounted on top of a housing for receiving a patient thereon and a plurality of film-receiving trays are movably mounted within a plurality of tracks positioned within the housing in generally vertically spaced apart relationship for movement of said trays between a first position generally beneath said planar surface and a second position spaced horizontally from said first position and means for sequentially moving said trays between the first and second positions, which means includes timing means for the movement of each tray.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved programmed film-changing apparatus for use with X-ray equipment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide programmed film-changing apparatus which is useful in substantially any of the various studies of the body-requiring series or sequences of radiographs.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide programmed film-changing apparatus wherein a series of radio- LII graphs can be taken with substantially any desired amount of time between radiographsv These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the figures:

FIG. I is a view in top plan of the film changing apparatus including a view of a remote control panel;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in end elevation of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view as seen generally from the line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view as seen from the line 55 in FIG. 3, portions thereof removed;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat schematic view of the cable connections controlling the movement of the tabletop; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view as seen generally from the line 7-7 of F IG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more specifically to the Figures the numeral 10 generally designates a table having legs 11 with casters 12 at the lower end thereof for easy movement into any desired position. The table 10 further has a central enclosure 13 with a patient-receiving planar surface 14 movably mounted on the top thereof. A pair of tracks 15 extend the width of the table 10 along each end of the enclosure I3, each of said tracks 15 having a hollow, generally rectangular cross section with a slot in the upper surface thereof and a pair of four-wheeled movable trolleys l6 engaged therein for longitudinal movement therealong. The two trolleys 16 in each of the tracks 15 are fixedly attached together in a spaced-apart relationship. Each of the trolleys 16 has a member 17 affixed thereto and positioned exterior of the tracks 15 with four rollers 18 attached thereto for rotation about horizontal axes perpendicular to the axes of the wheels on the trolleys 16. The rollers 18 are engaged in tracks 20 afiixed beneath the planar surface 14 and extending the length thereof. Thus, the planar surface 14 is mounted by means of the trolleys l6 and associated rollers I8 for two-directional movement, in the plane of the surface 14, relative to the table 10.

To prevent rotary movement of the planar surface 14 relative to the table 10, a cable arrangement, illustrated in position in FIG. 4 and illustrated schematically in FIG. 6, is affixed thereto, The cable arrangement includes four pulleys 25 through 28 attached to the trolleys 16 for movement therewith and for rotation about a generally vertical axis. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the pulley 25 is mounted in the lower left-hand corner and the pulley 26 is spaced therefrom toward the upper left-hand corner. The pulley 27 is mounted in the lower righthand corner and the pulley 28 is spaced therefrom toward the upper right-hand corner. One end ofa first cable 29 is afiixed to the upper edge of the table 10 in the lower left-hand corner, as seen in FIG. 4, and the cable 29 is engaged over the pulley 25, extended across the upper surface of the table 10 and engaged over the pulley 28, with the other end affixed to the diametrically opposed corner of the top of the table 10. In a similar fashion, one end of a second cable 30 is affixed to the corner of the tabletop, seen in the lower right-hand comer of FIG. 4, engaged over the pulley 27, extended across the top of the table 10 and engaged over the pulley 26, with the other end of the cable 30 affixed to the diametrically opposed corner of the top of the table 10. Thus, through this cable arrangement the trolleys 16 in one of the tracks 15 must move the same distance as the trolleys 16 in the opposite tracks 15 and any rotary type movement of the surface 14 relative to the table 10 is precluded.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, a plurality of film-receiving trays 35 are illustrated in sectional view. Each of the trays 35 extends approximately the length of the enclosure 13 and the width of each of the trays 35 is somewhat less than one-half of the width of the enclosure 13. The trays 35 form an upwardly opening bed into which film can be placed for exposure to X- rays passing through a patient and the planar surface 14. Each of the trays 35 has a lead shield 36 extending the length and width thereof to prevent X-rays from striking any of the trays 35 mounted therebelow. The trays 35 are each mounted in a set of tracks 37, one-half of which can be seen in FIG. 3, extending horizontally along the inner surface at each end of the enclosure 13. The tracks 37 are vertically spaced apart and the trays 35 may be engaged therein by means of nylon rollers or the like for easy and quiet movement therealong.

Each of the trays 35 has a hook 40 extending outwardly and downwardly from one longitudinal side thereof and a cable 41 affixed to the opposite longitudinal side thereof. The cables 41 affixed to the various trays 35 extend horizontally from the trays 35 to the side of the enclosure 13 where they are engaged over a pulley 42 and extend vertically downwardly therefrom. From the pulleys 42 the cables 41 extend downwardly and are engaged over a second set of pulleys 43 adjacent the lower edge of the enclosure 13. From the set of pulleys 43 the cables 41 extend to a set of spring-biased pulleys 44 where the cables 41 are attached so that the trays 35 are normally biased toward the side of the enclosure 13 having the pulleys 42 affixed thereto. In normal operation the planar surfaces 14 is positioned to overlie the side of the enclosure 13 opposite the side having the pulleys 42 afi'ixed thereto, so that the trays 35 are biased away from a position normally beneath the planar surface 14. It should be understood that other means might be utilized to bias the trays 35 in the desired direction and the present cable system is utilized for its simplicity and dependability.

A plurality of hooks 50 constructed to mate with the hooks 40 on the trays 35, are afiixed to the inner wall of the enclosure 13 opposite the wall having the pulleys 42 mounted thereon. The hooks 50 are mounted so that they will engage the hooks 40 when the trays 35 are moved to a position beneath the normal position of the planar surface 14. The hooks 50 are further constructed so that they can be pivoted downwardly a sufficient distance to release the hooks 40 and allow the trays 35 to move under the bias provided by the spring biased pulleys 44 and the cables 41. A plurality of solenoids 51 each having a core 52 affixed to the hooks 50 through cables 53, are energized to disengage the hooks 50 from the hooks 40.

It should be understood that the hooks 50 and hooks 40 might be disengaged through any desirable apparatus and the present solenoids and associated apparatus as illustrated because of their simplicity and dependability. Each of the solenoids 51 is connected through a remotely extending electrical cable 55 to a control panel 56 (see FIG. 1). The control panel 56 contains a timing circuit for each of the solenoids 51, which timing circuits are controlled by dials 57, as well as controls for turning the circuitry on and for indicating that the X- ray machine is operating. Since the electronic circuitry in the control panel 56 is standard-timing circuitry well known to those skilled in the art, there is no necessity to elaborate thereon. In general the timing circuits should provide a time period variable within the range of approximately 1% to seconds during which any film on each of the trays 35 may be exposed to X-rays. Longer or shorter periods may be provided for specific studies if desired. Further, while four trays 35 and the associated apparatus are illustrated, it should be understood that literally any number of trays desired might be utilized.

In the operation of the present film-changing apparatus, cassettes or other desirable film configuration are placed in the trays 35 in the desired positions. The trays 35 are moved so that the hooks 40 and hooks 50 are engaged and a patient is placed on the planar surface 14. The planar surface 14 is moved so that the portion of the patient desired to be studied is positioned over the films in the trays 35, with the films in the trays 35 being offset from each other between the upper and lower trays 35, in the direction it is desired to have the sequence advance. The films can also be placed in direct overlying relationship with sufficient film in each of the trays 35 to cover the entire area of the patient being radiographed. The various dials 57 on the controls panel 56 are positioned to provide the periods desired between movements of each of the trays 35. The control panel 56 has an operate button 60, which controls the panel 56 as well as an X-ray machine associated with the table 10. Upon depressing the button 60 a first radiograph is taken and the film in the upper tray 35 is exposed. Some period of time later, depending upon the setting of the first dial 57, the solenoid 51 associated with the upper tray is energized and the spring-biased pulley 44 moves it to the left in FIG. 3. A lead shield 45 forming an upper surface for approximately one-half of the enclosure 13, shields the trays 35 as they move into the illustrated position. After the first tray 35 is moved from beneath the planar surface 14, the film in the second tray 35 is exposed and the second tray is automatically moved from beneath the planar surface 14 after the preset period of time. The third and fourth trays 35 operate in a similar fashion.

Thus, the table 10 is designed so that a patient can be placed on the planar surface 14 and moved to any desired position relative to the trays 35, after which a series of radiographs can be taken with substantially any desired period of time elapsing therebetween. Because of the construction of the table 10, substantially any portion of the human body can be studied in detail and great varieties of series of radiographs can be taken. For example, the table 10 can be utilized for abdominal aortography with simultaneous bilateral arteriography of the lower limbs, bilateral femoral arteriography, lower limb phlebography, lymphangiography, etc. While the present apparatus is constructed so that the trays 35 are subjected to X- rays and then moved from beneath the planar surface 14, it should be understood that the movement and operation might be reversed, if desired, and the table 10 could still operate effectively. Thus, film-changing apparatus is disclosed which is highly versatile and dependable and which is relatively simple to operate. Further, the present film-changing apparatus is constructed with a highly dependable and versatile means for timing and sequentially moving the trays 35 to provide sequences of radiographs.

What is claimed is:

1. Programmed X-ray-sensitive film-changing apparatus comprising:

a. a housing having an upper generally planar surface for receiving patients thereon, said planar surface being affixed to the housing by means providing two directional movement in the plane of the surface;

b. a plurality of film-receiving trays;

c. a plurality of tracks mounted within said housing in generally vertically spaced-apart relationship having said trays movably engaging therein for travel along said tracks between a first position generally beneath said planar surface and a second position spaced horizontally from said first position at least the width of said trays; and

d. means affixed to said housing and engaged with each of said trays for sequentially moving said trays between the first and second positions.

2. Programmed X-ray-sensitive film-changing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 having in addition adjustable timing means associated with said means for sequentially moving said trays for providing adjustable time periods between the movements of trays.

3. Programmed X-ray-sensitive film-changing apparatus comprising:

a. a housing;

b. an upper generally planar surface adapted to receive a patient thereon and affixed to said housing for limited two directional movements in the plane of said surface;

c. a plurality of film-receiving trays;

d. a plurality of tracks mounted within said housing in generally vertically spaced-apart relationship having said trays movably engaged therein for travel along said tracks between a first position generally beneath said planar surface and a second position spaced horizontally from said first position at least the width of said trays;

e. biasing means affixed to each of said trays and said housing for urging each of said trays toward one of said first and second positions;

f. sequentially releasable engaging means mounted on said housing for engaging each of said trays and maintaining each of said trays in the other of said first and second positions; and

g. adjustable control means associated with said engaging means for controlling said engaging means to release each of said trays in a predetermined sequence, said control means being adjustable to vary the time between releasing of trays.

4. Programmed X-r'ay-sensitive film-changing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the releasable engaging means includes a plurality of electrical solenoids and the control means includes adjustable timing circuits for supplying the electrical activating signals to said solenoids upon energization of said control means and the passage of preset periods of time thereafter. 

1. Programmed X-ray-sensitive film-changing apparatus comprising: a. a housing having an upper generally planar surface for receiving patients thereon, said planar surface being affixed to the housing by means providing two directional movement in the plane of the surface; b. a plurality of film-receiving trays; c. a plurality of tracks mounted within said housing in generally vertically spaced-apart relationship having said trays movably engaging therein for travel along said tracks between a first position generally beneath said planar surface and a second position spaced horizontally from said first position at least the width of said trays; and d. means affixed to said housing and engaged with each of said trays for sequentially moving said trays between the first and second positions.
 2. Programmed X-ray-sensitive film-changing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 having in addition adjustable timing means associated with said means for sequentially moving said trays for providing adjustable time periods between the movements of trays.
 3. Programmed X-ray-sensitive film-changing apparatus comprising: a. a housing; b. an upper generally planar surface adapted to receive a patient thereon and affixed to said housing for limited two directional movements in the plane of said surface; c. a plurality of film-receiving trays; d. a plurality of tracks mounted within said housing in generally vertically spaced-apart relationship having said trays movabLy engaged therein for travel along said tracks between a first position generally beneath said planar surface and a second position spaced horizontally from said first position at least the width of said trays; e. biasing means affixed to each of said trays and said housing for urging each of said trays toward one of said first and second positions; f. sequentially releasable engaging means mounted on said housing for engaging each of said trays and maintaining each of said trays in the other of said first and second positions; and g. adjustable control means associated with said engaging means for controlling said engaging means to release each of said trays in a predetermined sequence, said control means being adjustable to vary the time between releasing of trays.
 4. Programmed X-ray-sensitive film-changing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the releasable engaging means includes a plurality of electrical solenoids and the control means includes adjustable timing circuits for supplying the electrical activating signals to said solenoids upon energization of said control means and the passage of preset periods of time thereafter. 